Celtic FC Women 4 Hibernian 0
There had been a big build up to this one for Fran Alonso and his Celtic FC Women’s team, as the Hoops headed into SWPL1 action against Hibs this afternoon, after all this was no ordinary encounter. Instead, this was the first time Celtic had played a women’s game at Celtic Park – with fans allowed in attendance – and once they’d got them through the door, then the pressure was also going to be on to entertain and entice those who came along to come back again – and my word did Celtic do just that this afternoon.
If the pressure of playing in front of the thousands who turned out in the sunshine at Celtic Park, or in front of the Green Brigade with ‘taps aff’ and in full voice, or for a Pass to Paradise watching at home, or indeed a Celtic TV audience tuning in across the world, for a historic moment in not just Celtic FC Women’s history, but the very club itself, it certainly didn’t show.
It was @CelticFCWomen's afternoon at Celtic Park in the @SWPL 1 today. A big win over @HibernianWomen in front of the home crowd. pic.twitter.com/TVaVXJ1wxh
— Craig Doyle (@cdsportsmedia) March 26, 2022
Celtic, despite the shock loss of both rock at the back Caitlin Hayes and top scorer Charlie Wellings from the starting line-up due to injury, started the game like they had no nerves whatsoever.
The Hoops opened the scoring after just 58 seconds, as Clarissa Larisey, starting up front in the place of Wellings, scored a goal right out the top drawer, and one the player she was deputising for would have been more than proud of. The Canadian striker, with family watching on, initially lobbed the ball high past two despairing Hibs challenges, before deftly controlling the dropping ball to send the tidiest of cushioned finished past English in the Hibs goal to put the Hoops one up. It was a wonderfully crafted individual effort and it got Celtic off to the perfect start.
And after 25 minutes the Hoops were two to the good, as the ever-impressive Jacynta showed the same determination Larisey had exhibited for the first goal to win the ball back, evade a challenge, and then wonderfully and delicately lay the ball off for Liv Chance to finish with aplomb. It was a superb goal crafted and executed by two players very much in the mood this afternoon.
Celtic then went in with a two-goal cushion at the break and to a standing ovation from the North Stand, and one a controlled and masterful exhibition of football more than deserved.
The second half saw much of the same, a Celtic team determined to put on a show and one who appeared to be ideally suited to play on the open expanses of the Celtic Park turf, meanwhile Hibs who looked shaken from the moment the early concession hit the net, looked lost chasing shadows all over the space Paradise offers.
In 52 minutes, Chloe Craig struck a thirty-yard shot everyone just willed to hit the net, however. English in the Hibs goal spoiled the moment, tipping the long-range effort over the bar, only to be beaten seconds later as the resultant corner saw Jodie Bartle – who performed as well as we’ve ever seen in a Celtic shirt this afternoon – make a fantastic run, leap superbly and place a header well out of the reach of English to put Celtic three goals to the good.
🗞️ Match Report: Celtic shine in impressive Paradise win over Hibs!#COYGIG 🍀 @CelticFC https://t.co/VrCwTaMDdp
— Celtic FC Women (@CelticFCWomen) March 26, 2022
Celtic continued the one-way traffic against an overawed Hibs side, as Jacynta made a superb run at goal, dropped the shoulder superbly and saw her effort drift agonisingly wide, before Celtic had strong claims for a penalty when Clarissa Larisey and Joelle Murray battled for a ball which Larisey won, was upended, and fell in the box. Initially it looked for all the world a penalty, however, the initial contact was possibly outside the box, yet not a free kick nor penalty did the referee award, despite an uninterrupted view of the incident, much to Fran Alonso’s consternation on the sidelines.
Celtic however piled on the pressure and substitute Maria Olafsdottir-Gros was sent clear by the best pass of the game, as fellow sub-Tyler Toland played a wonderfully weighted and defence splitting pass into the path of Celtic’s young Icelander, only to see Olafsdottir-Gros drag the shot wide.
Celtic weren’t quite finished yet however, and the fourth goal arrived with six minutes left. Substitute Annie Timoney created space through graft and no little skill down Celtic’s right side, found Larisey arrowing in on goal and as the striker pulled the trigger it looked a goal all the way, only for English to deflect the effort, but only as far as Chloe Warrington, who after setting up the first goal Celtic had scored at Celtic Park against theRangers last season, scored the last one today, as her sheer determination to reach the follow up saw Celtic score four this afternoon and send home a bumper crowd – consisting of everyone from toddlers and grandparents to Celtic Ultra’s – home happy and incredibly entertained.
This was very much a historic moment in the illustrious history of Celtic. And those who pulled on a Celtic shirt, as well as who filled the stands today, played their part in a moment future generations will look back on as a huge event in Celtic’s rich tapestry.
That Celtic put on a show today will only entice more people to attend future games – and hopefully encourage the club custodians to fully understand just what an important part women’s football can play in the future of our great club.
Celtic as a team showed Fran Alonso’s style of play flourishes on the expanses of Celtic Park and it really must now become as regular occurrence whenever possible. Celtic, be it the men or the women, at first team level, need to be playing at Paradise, today if nothing else, proved just that.
Celtic entertained today but they also earned their right to consider Celtic Park their home, meanwhile Fran Alonso’s playing philosophy looked tailor made for Celtic Park, just as that wonderful lucky blazer needs to be worn every time the sun shines!
It would be difficult to choose a player of the match for this one, after all every single player gave their all today. However, special mentions must go to both Jodie Bartle and Jacynta, who were on top form, but just edging it has to be Clarissa Larisey.
The Celtic striker was the one who settled the nerves, the one involved in almost everything Celtic did as an attacking force, and the one who handled the pressure of taking on a striker’s role from an injured 27 goal teammate. It was simply a superb example of application and ability throughout from Clarissa Larisey – and that is saying something on a day every single player played their hearts out for the shirt and claimed a piece of Celtic history to call their own
Niall J
